Posted by
Brian Lloyd-6 on
Jun 07, 2007; 6:30pm
URL: http://elecraft.85.s1.nabble.com/K3-S-meter-calibration-redux-tp448734p448755.html
On Jun 7, 2007, at 10:12 AM, Darwin, Keith wrote:
> I disagree with this. If S-meter cal was indeed a standard, that's
> one
> thing but the reality of S-meters is that they are all over the map.
>
> If I calibrate my rig and know how many dB per s-unit than I'm far
> ahead
> of my peers who only *think* they know. If I have 4 dB per unit I
> expect to see a 2.5 unit jump when the other guy kicks on the linear.
I find it interesting that people say they disagree with me and then
go on to agree with me.
The points I am making are:
1. Most radios have S-meters that don't tell you anything useful
other than, "the signal is bigger or smaller." Why bother with the
meter if your ear can do just as well and probably more accurately?
2. Just because everyone else has crap for a meter doesn't mean you
should too.
3. Having a meter that accurately tells you the received signal
strength, one that can be accurately turned into relative dB changes
or, better still, changes relative to 0dBm, is a very good thing.
4. Being able to sit down at a random radio, look at its meter, and
know what it is telling you without having to get a lesson from its
owner would be really nice.
The only question is what the calibration should be. If the FCC
didn't put it on the test and if there weren't a european standard, I
would say "hey, knock yourself out; do what makes you happy so long
as it is consistent."
But we do actually have a standard and we do (finally) have a radio
that can perform accurate measurement to that standard. Why throw
that away?
Sorry, I have carried on too long about this. When I get my K3 I can
set its meter to give me real measurements in S-units. If you use my
radio you will know that what you had to learn for your FCC exam is
actually reflected in the behavior of the meter in my radio.
Oh, and I want a meter with resolution that corresponds to the
accuracy of the measurement. ;-)
Uh, and can I have it for $59 too? :-)
73 de Brian, WB6RQN
Brian Lloyd - brian HYPHEN wb6rqn AT lloyd DOT com
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